Chapter 1: A new day begins! (Ronin)
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Era of Harmony ll: Tales of a New Age
Written by: Gambling_Sam
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*Poke Poke*
"Mrhrm...go back to bed, Luxu. Daddy needs his beauty sleep."
*Poke Poke Poke*
Opening my eyes with a yawn, I shifted my body off of the sleeping unicorn under me to face the tiny terror that was keeping me awake
The young filly had managed to crawl over the two of the snoring mounts on the bed and was now standing atop her sleeping birthmother, poised to strike once more with a pink hoof hovering above my head.
"But daaaaaaaaaaaaad! I'm hungwy!" The little filly stated with an adorable pout as she shook some of her silvery mane from her vision, boring into my soul with sapphiric eyes that glistened in the dim sunlight that had just started to trail into the room from an adjacent window
Unable to restrain myself, I snagged my daughter up and let the covers swallow her as I pulled her close to my chest.
"Well, then maybe we should fix that then, huh?" I whispered in her ears, letting my left hand run through her mane as I felt a familiar tug from withen me as the filly in my arms began to feed on the love I held for her.
"Is it morning already?" I heard the pink fluff of pony in front of me mumble as she rustled about on the bed, managing to get out from under the covers and turn to me, a warm smile on her face as she saw our daughter in my arms. "Well, looks like somepony was hungry."
The bed shook slightly as another of my herd began to awake, peeking her head out from behind Pinkie Pie and glaring at us before grumbling to herself as she put her chin on Pinkies head.
"Shhhhhh, no more talking." Chrysalis whispered, using her head to push Pinkies head back onto the bed as the queen closed her eyes once more. "Mama wants her beauty sleep."
Looking the queen over, I still found myself in awe of the transformation she went through last year. Where rotting black chitin and green eyes once laid was now a beautiful sheen of white paried with luscious blue hair that cascaded down the queens neck like a waterfall. Even her wings were more of a butterflys than a moths, and didn't even buzz anymore when they were used.
She had always been a ten out of ten back when she had the black chitin, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer her as she was now.
Sensing my thoughts about her, the queen couldn't help but chuckle as she gave me a half-lidded stare from atop her herdmate, nuzzling into Pinkies mane as she spoke up.
"I'd ask if you liked what you were seeing, but that's probably a fruitless endeavor at this point." Chrysalis remarked as she buried more of her face into Pinkies mane. "Although, with Luxord awake we might as well give up on sleep, the little one refuses to sleep for more than six hours."
"That's my filly!" Pinkie exclaimed loudly, making the other lump in the bed sit up abruptly.
"Patient to room fourty-two, STAT!" Redheart exclaimed in a tired haze as she fumbled with the blanket that kept her submerged, making little grunts for her efforts until she finally freed herself from its clutches and looked us with a tired stare.
"Seriously, Pinkie? This is the third time you've woken me up this week!" The nurse grumbled as she wiped her eyes with a hoof before leaning over and hugging me from the side, her white fur bristling against my stomach as we shared a nuzzle. "How's the little one doing, Ronin?"
Looking from Redheart to my chest, I did a double take as Luxord was now gone from her spot by my side, having managed to sneak out of my grasp and moving on to poking Twilight in the back of her head in a similar fashion to what she did to me.
"C'mon, purple mama! It's time to get up!" Luxord chirped as she glomped the unicorn, rousing the mare to from her slumber as she turned over and nuzzled the little fillys cheek, causing Luxord to giggle at the affectionate touch.
"Good morning, Luxord." Twilight cooed as she slowly sat up, watching the little filly drop off her as she turned to the rest of the herd with a cheery smile on her face. "Morning everyone!"
Getting both energetic and tired responses from everyone present, I watched Twilight swing the covers off her and jump out of the queen sized bed (tried to get a king, but Chrysalis refused anything else saying it felt wrong to be in any other type of bed) and trot over to the doorway, turning back to face me with a wink.
"I'm going to be at the library all day today, so don't forget to check your to-do list for today, Ronin!"
Watching the unicorns hips sway out of view as she made her exit, I couldn't stop the chuckle from leaving my throat at what she had said.
"Twilight and her lists." I said with a shake of my head, snagging my daughter from her spot on the bed and giving her a rasberry on her stomach, ignoring the squeals of delight coming from her as Chrysalis went to follow Twilight's example.
"I'm afraid I will be busy today as well. Creating a monumental peace accord with the griffons has been surprisingly difficult given who's in charge of them now, and some of their kind has began to question the point of siding with us." Dropping from the bed in a graceful flourish, the queen turned to Pinkie and motioned to her backside. "Want to tag along? Eureka knows I'll need you around to keep the meeting from running droll."
With a squee, Pinkie leaped from the bed and lands directly on the small of Chrysalis' back, pulling a small list (at least, in comparision to Twilights) out of her hair and looking it over.
"Hanging with bestie, check!" She exclaimed before gasping loudly, making Chrysalis flinch from the sound. "Do you think they'll allow me to throw another peace party?"
Turning her neck to stare at Pinkie, Chrysalis was unable to hide the snark from her face and tone as she shook her head, her eyes radiating that all to familiar tone of 'NO'.
"Pinkie, the last time you hosted a party in griffonia for them Grazier and his poor mate almost got crushed underneath the massive pinata you managed to sneak in."
"It's not MY fault they didn't like that it was full of fish rather than candy! You'd think a bunch of snapper wouldn't weigh that much." Pinkie countered as Chrysalis walked off, taking the party-obsessed mare with her as they continued their banter down the halls.
Feeling a heavy weight slam into my back, I smirked as I felt Redheart press into my neck with her snout.
"Could you carry me downstairs, babe? I ran the long shift yesterday at the hospital, and I really don't feel like moving much right now" The incredibly soft nurse asked, her breath raising the hairs on my neck as I nodded.
"Sounds like a plan, C'mere Luxu." I answered my mare as I hoisted the spastic filly in my arms and leaned over just enough to allow Redheart to attach herself nice and snug to my back. "All set back there, Nurse?"
I got my answer in a quick hickey to the neck, causing a short gasp to leave my throat as I felt Redhearts love swell. I was just about to turn my head so I could return the favor when a certain somepony in my arms had other plans.
"Let's Go!" Luxu stated impatiently as she kicked her legs out, beckoning for me to get moving. "Go Go Go Go!"
"Aight, fine you little rascal!" I replied with a snort as I stood up slowly and made my way out the bedroom and into a silver hallway lined with doors and paintings on both sides, letting my eyes adjust to the light reflecting off of the reflective walls.
In the span of a year, what once was our little black castle went through some major decor changes. Soon after the talent show last year Twilight, Redheart, and Pinkie Pie all decided to move in, so there had to be some changes to storage units for all of their stuff to be transfered to the castle, even moving all of Twilights books out of that giant tree of hers and moving them here, effectively making the castle double as the towns new library (Even that big old book Sunbutt gave her that was written by that old wizard guy she worships...that's probably why she's at the library right now to be honest) We also started to notice that the more changelings went through the reformation process, both the way Chrysalis did with the color change and Tak's weird antler form, the more the castles exterior began to change too.
Soon enough, the whole palace went from a deep black to a gleaming silver lined here and there with purple crystals instead of the original green and blue. Not gonna complain, since the old colors only really fit back when we were an invading force rather than a neighboring species...though the bigger and much more vast castle had it own challenges with it.
Making my way through the halls of the castle wasn't always the easiest thing either...It took three months to learn its layout, and even then every 'Ling I meet in a hallway always wanted to chat, so that alone would waste time.
And the plumbing...don't get me started on the plumbing. There were about two whole teams of both plumbers and a construction crew to set up the castle with bathrooms and showers, not to mention the costs behind those workers too.
"Daddy! Why is almost nopwony up yet?" Luxu asked, shaking me from my thoughts as we turned a corner, narrowly avoiding running into a group of younger changelings running through the halls.
"Well, you did wake us up early, kiddo. Most 'Lings dont got a living alarm clock to wake them up at the crack of dawn." I asnwered the filly as I felt Redheart yawn into my neck as she began to squirm around.
"Got that right...Ronin, could you drop me off here? I want to make sure the medical 'Lings haven't mixed up the supplies again." The sleepy nurse asked with a deeper yawn as I stopped in my tracks and turned to a door marked with the same red cross that the nurse bore on her oh so fine flanks.
What can I say? Redhearts got a flank that wont quit...learned that the hard way a few months ago.
Bending down, I waited for Redheart to hop off me before standing up again and watching her move to the door before turning to us one last time.
"Make sure to check what Twilight has planned for ya, babe. Last thing we need is Twilighting episode fourty-three on our hooves." She informed me before looking to Luxu and cooing softly. "See you real soon, Luxord. Mama loves you!"
"Bye white mama!" Luxu said with a super big grin on her face as we watched Redheart enter the room, closing the door shut behind her and leaving us alone in the hallway.
Looking down at my daughter, I met her gaze and gave her a huge shit-eating grin of my own.
"Couch time?" I asked, getting a fervent head nod in return.
She truly came from my loins, huh? Couch time it is! I thought with a small laugh as I took us through several hallways, getting multiple "Hi Dad!" Or "Hello, Your majesty!" from the changelings that we met across the way, leaving me with mixed emotions yet again at the those titles.
I'm not sure which of those titles I'm used to at this point...Then again, I'm sure if I asked they'd stop, though I doubt I'd ever be able to muster up the will to tell the adorable bugs off like that.
Pushing that thought from my mind, I finally managed to make to the living room, I plopped down on the couch nearby and let go of Luxu, watching as she went to the opposite cushion and began to bounce around on it, making sure to stay clear of the edge of the couch while doing so (She learned that lesson the hard way about the week prior...man did Redheart get on her case for that.)
Watching Luxu continue to hop and down on the couch, I felt another smile spreading across my face.
Man, I don't think I ever smiled this much back on earth...hell, I never even thought I'd have a child I remarked to myself, resisting the urge to pull Luxu into a bear hug. Can't believe I gave her the name Luxord of all things, though. How was I supposed to know that one of the voices in my head last year was gonna be a girl?! Groaning softly, I watched as Luxu stopped hopping around and fell on her rump, choosing to hum that song pinkie sings whenever shes happy...something about smiling or whatever.
At least we have the nickname Luxu...that at least sounds slighty feminine.
Letting one of my arms go over the side of the couch, I found my sight torn from my kid when I felt a piece of paper brush against my hand. Looking over the couch, I found a changeling holding a piece of paper in its mouth, looking up at me with big yellow irises.
"This must be that list Twilight told me about?" I asked the green coated changeling, getting a simple nod in return as I carefully pulled the paper from his purple maw. "Thanks!"
Rubbing the changelings head in between his antlers, I couldn't stop a laugh from coming out when I saw his tongue fall out of the side of his mouth as he pushed his head into my hand.
"That feels soooooo good, my King!" The changeling stated as I looked over the paper with my free hand, taking a moment to glance at my now sleeping filly before returning my gaze to the list before me.
Dear Babe Ronin,
I went ahead and made a list of things that need to be done, and since your usually at home with nothing to do, I figured you'd be more than happy to help out!
1. Make sure to drop Luxord off at Rarity's, since she said she was gonna look after her today while your out (Rarity already has everything the filly needs, so don't worry about that...please try to reel it in around Rarity though, she is my friend after all.)
Taking another glance at Luxu, I supressed a frown at the mention of that damned unicorn.
You'd think with how fast Luxords growing we wouldn't need a babysitter...especially not her.
Putting that aside for the time being, I went to read the rest of the list, only to find there was only one more thing written.
2. Meet up with your brothers at Sugarcube corner, Tak came up to me yesterday and said that Nicholas wanted to tell you and Raiden something and to pass it on, so your brothers are going to meet up and are expecting you.
With that, my mood went from bad to good all over again, I stood up and stretched out my back, allowing the paper in my hand to fall onto the couch as I turned to the changeling that was looking a bit sad the scratches were over.
"Would you by chance want to take Luxord to Rarity's?" I asked him as the changeling shook his head, pointing a hoof at the paper on the couch.
"Sorry, Sir. I've got explicit orders from the queens to not do your jobs for you, as do all of us. Something about you needing to 'get off your lazy rear and do it yourself?'"
That had to be Chrysalis...or Twilight to be honest. Mare gets fiesty when she's in a mood.
"Fair enough, I'll take her then." I replied, picking up the still snoozing filly and holding her to my chest as I began to head for the doorway out of the castle.
"Um...Sir?"
Turning back to face the changeling, I noticed his gaze was focused on my lower half...the VERY exposed lower half of my body.
Shit, I've been walking around naked this whole time!?!
I felt my face heat up while the changeling coughed into a hoof, attempting to hide his own embarassment as well.
"You might want to put something on, my King. I doubt the queens would appreciate you showing off to the other mares in town."
Nodding quickly while refusing to make eye contact with the 'Ling, I laid my daughter on the ground and closed my eyes, visualizing the lower half of chitin armour on myself.
With a flash of white light and a slight tingling sensation, I opened my eyes again to see the pure white chitin leggings and greaves comfortably snug on my person.
Breathing out a sigh of relief, I picked up my daughter again and nodded to the changeling, thanking him as I walked out the hall and through the front gates of my home and into the streets of ponyville.
With our castle being placed near what once was the edge of ponyville, a lot of the changelings had plenty of space nearby to build their own homes and huts (Most using that weird goop that they puke up rather than the brick and straw that the mayor gave us permission to use), though most of them were barely three years old tops and didn't have families of their own yet, so some of the houses went unused for the time being.
As for the rest of town, having a castle in the towns perimiters really helped bring tourists to the once quiet location, allowing for quite the expansion. Multiple new shops started popping up and business buildings that were already here recieved quite the surplus in demand from the oncoming tourists.
"Isn't he the one who let an attack on canterlot last year?"
"He's much bigger than what the papers say he is...how terrifying!"
"Look at that filly he's holding. How desperate does a mare have to be to sleep with that thing?"
Grinding my teeth, I sped up my walk through town, trying my hardest to ignore some of the glares I got throughout the crowded street as I passed by.
Doesn't help these damned tourist don't always have the best opnions of me or changelings as a whole. I've even heard some talking about Raiden too, though that's mainly because hes a dragon...How the hell does Nicholas manage to avoid all of the negative press? Slowing down slightly as I turned a corner, I rolled my eyes as I remembered who he's with. Forgot the kid is skinny dipping with that rich filly and her family, that alone has to be doing wonders for his reputation.
Coming to a stop in front of the carousel boutique, I suppresed the urge to groan and walked up to the door and knocked twice, taking a moment to glance at the slightly battered mailbox sitting nearby with a smirk.
I should punt that sucker across town again...though maybe avoid making it crash into the school roof this time.
My smirk faded as I heard a shrill "Coming!" from the other side of the door alongside approaching hoofsteps from inside the building.
"Welcome to the Carouse-oh, it's you." Rarity answered sweetly before recognizing me, her sentence turning sour quick as she glanced at the sleeping child in my arms. "Here to drop off the sweet darling, I take it?"
"Wouldn't be here otherwise." I retorted as I followed rarity inside and laid Luxord down softly on a nearby couch, grabbing a linen sheet from a pile and laying it over her, leaving only her small head exposed.
"At least you have the decency to act like a stallion with your daughter." Rarity snarked, making me turn and glare at her, though that glare softened when I saw she didn't look as annoyed with me as she usually did.
"Like I'd ever do anything to hurt my own daughter." I replied as I turned and made my way for the door, only to stop when I felt a hoof grab my wrist.
"Wait, Darling." Turning to the snow white mare, I felt my brow furrow almost on instinct as she retracted her hoof from me, returning it to the floor with a barely audible thud.
"What?" I asked plainly, wondering why she stopped me as she fidgeted slighty where she stood, fixing her mane as she begin to answer me.
"How...does it feel to have a foal?" She asked, looking up into my eyes with a sincerity that nearly gave me whiplash from how she was just acting.
What the hell is up with this mare? First she's snappy as heck with me, now this?
"Well...Honestly it's both the best and worst feeling." I answered, getting that head tilt ponies do when they don't understand something in return.
"How could something be the best and worst?"
Scratching the back of my head, I tried my best to collect my thoughts and put them into words.
Crap, where's Raiden when ya need him to explain stuff? I'm no good at stuff like this!
"Well, think of it like this: Having a kid allows you to enjoy watching that kid grow and become a grown adult, making memories along the way, right?" She nodded along as I continued. "Well, you also got the pressure on your back making sure your raising them right and are teaching them how to live their life as a good perso-er, pony. All of that falls on the parents shoulders."
"What your saying is that while having children makes your life more fulfilling, it doesn't come without its own challenges?" At my shrug the unicorn turned and looked at Luxord, a sad smile gracing her face as she spoke up again. "Alright, that's all I wanted to ask. The sweet little thing is in good hooves, so you can go do whatever else Twilight has for you to do, since I'm sure she's the one who sent you here."
Without another word, I turned and left the boutique, trying my hardest to shake off the mixed bag of emotions I had felt from Rarity during that little talk.
"That was so freaking weird...we've never really talked without hostility before, and then she goes and asks me that? What the hell was I supposed to do?"
Continuing my walk through town, I felt a smile return to my face as I spied Axel and Sweetiebelle walk past me, the former saluting me before going back to listening to Sweetiebelle ramble on about making an album with 12K.
Still can't believe that Nicholas is such a huge sensation here. To think Raiden got him that electric keyboard he used to play back on earth back when he was six, now the kiddo is a freaking music star.
Coming to a stop in front of sugarcube corner, I grimaced as I beheld the confectionary mass of brick in front of me.
No wonder Pinkie used to live here...this place always reminds me of that hansel and gretal story. I thought with a frown as I walked inside, sounding off a little bell as I felt a little pony attach itself to my leg.
"Well, if it isn't pound cake." I said as I reached down and ruffled the little colts mane, earning a giggle from him as he detached from me and flew off towards the counter, landing next to his mother. "and a good morning to ya too, Mrs. Cake!"
Sending me a warm smile, the blue mare waved back at me. "Hello, Dear! How's Pinkie been holding up with the little one? Celestia knows our foals are a handful, and their just regular ponies!"
"She's enjoying it well, to be honest. The entire herds been using Luxord as a sort of practice run to prepare themselves for when they want kids too."
Well, except Chrysalis. She is quite literally the definition of MILF.
"That's good to hear, a shame she couldn't had stayed, but both me and my dear husband think its wonderful she found such a nice young man like yourself to be with." Mrs. Cake said sweetly as she nuzzled her son. "Now, is there anything you want, dearie?"
Shaking my head, I walked over and took a seat in one of those four-people booths. "Not today, Ma'am. Just meeting up with my brothers."
"Alrighty, then! It's a slow day for us today, so call if you ned anything!" The mare told me as she placed her son on her back and went into the kitchen, allowing me to stretch out on the booth seat and relax.
"Well well, look what the 'Lings dragged in."
Recognizing that voice, I sprung up from my seat and turned towards the door, being met face to face with none other than my brother, flanked by two of Luna's guard.
"Damn, so they let pretty much everyone into a restaurant these days, huh?" I replied with a big grin as I met Raiden in a bro hug, squeezing the life out of him and getting the same treatment in return. "How's the royalty been?"
Seperating from me, Raiden flicked his talon and the two gaurds quite literally melted into the shadows.
"It's been well enough, though learning how to run a country while being head chef is quite the task." He answered back as he pulled a strand of blue hair from one of his white scales.
Still amazes me to this day how of all things Raiden got to become a dragon, all thanks to some errant potion he drank last year...I'd be more jealous if what am I now wasn't as badass as it was.
"Having your own mare teach you has to be a plus though...especially with those late night sessions, huh?" I teased, grinning like a madman as Raidens face flushed.
"Oi! We only did that once mid-lesson!" He bit back before clamping a claw over his mouth, and drawing a belly laugh from me in response. "Oh, like your any better considering your dating Twilight of all ponies."
Wiping my eyes, I gave my brother the finger as I calmed myself down enough to respond.
"Buzz off, your just jealous that she stuck with me and not-"
BOOM!
The ground shook slightly as an explosion went off from across town, sobering up Raiden and I as we shared a knowing look.
"What are the odds that Nicholas and at least half of his friends are at the source of that explosion?" Raiden asked as I face-palmed, knowing this was gonna be one of those days.
"Knowing them, they probably caused it." Following Raiden as he and his guards went out the door, all I could do was shake my head.
Can't go a week without something happening in this town, can we?